Upon hearing the word moving out, Kiara's heart squeezed tight, like a cold fist had closed around it. It hurt, sharp and sour, but she kept her chin up.
Alpha Kyrian leaned against the broad window of his office on the thirty-sixth floor of the Blackwood Tower in central Vienna. Evening light spilled over the Danube River behind him, outlining the tall, hard lines of his body. "You think you can just move out?" His deep voice slid through the room like a low growl.
Kiara steadied her breath. "There's no need for us to live together anymore. It's already been two years. The deal is done."
His silver eyes caught hers—wolf eyes, dangerous and bright. "I decide when it's done," he said, his Austrian accent sharper when he was angry. "Ask Nathaniel to give you two hours. Pack your things. You're coming back to the Villa Marisole tonight."
"I—"
A firm knock cut her off. "Alpha, the board meeting is ready," Nathaniel called from outside.
Kyrian slipped his black cufflinks back into place, movements smooth, controlled. "Out," he ordered without looking at her.
Kiara stayed where she was. "I'm not going back, Kyrian."
He turned, slow and cold, a faint growl rumbling from his chest. "When have you not said that, mein Mädchen? And when have you ever stayed away?" His voice was soft but carried the weight of a command.
She knew he didn't believe her. He never did. But this time she meant it. He would see.
Kiara left the office, heading for the washroom. Under the bright lights of the marble sink, she touched the small bruise blooming on her chin where his fingers had gripped her. She dabbed concealer over it, whispering to her reflection, "No more."
Her phone buzzed. A message from Hannah in Paris: Heard the news. Are you okay? Drinks later?
Kiara typed back, Not now. I'll call you.
When she stepped back into the hallway, a voice snapped, "Kiara, the printer's out of ink. Change it quickly. We need it."
It was Mirabel, the secretary who always looked at her like she didn't belong. "Even if you plan to leave, show some professional ethics," Mirabel added, smirking.
Kiara crossed her arms. "My job is to follow Alpha Kyrian's orders and handle his meals. Did he tell you to boss me around?"
Mirabel blinked. "Meals? Do you ever see him eat what you order?"
Kiara's stomach tightened. She thought of the untouched dinners she'd ordered—always ending in the trash.
Mirabel shoved a stack of files into Kiara's arms. "These need twenty copies by two. Learn your place, Kiara."
Footsteps sounded behind her. She turned. Kyrian was coming out of the office with Nathaniel, his gaze locking onto hers. His eyes glinted—silver and sharp—like a wolf ready to strike. His lips curled in a scornful half-smile, as if daring her to fail.
Heat flared in Kiara's chest. She tossed the files back at Mirabel. Papers fluttered across the polished floor.
"You pick them up," Kiara said, her voice ringing through the hallway. "And remember this—he likes women without brains but with a big chest. You already lack the first, and you're a bit short on the second."
Gasps echoed. Kyrian's eyes darkened to stormy steel, his wolf close to the surface. His jaw flexed, a low growl vibrating in his throat.
Kiara strode to the Human Resources office and placed her resignation letter on the desk.
The HR manager looked uneasy. "Kiara, we can't process this without Alpha Kyrian's signature."
"I won't be here tomorrow," she said flatly. "Call it skipping work or leave—I don't care."
"You'll be breaking the contract," he warned. "There's a two-week transition."
"Then let him sue me," she snapped, turning on her heel.
As she exited Blackwood Tower, dusk had settled over Vienna. The scent of roasted chestnuts drifted from a nearby street cart on the other side. Her phone buzzed again—Hannah insisting on drinks at Café Central—but Kiara only wanted silence.
Back at her hotel, she collapsed on the bed, too tired to eat.
A sharp knock woke her. She squinted at the clock: 7:50 p.m.
She opened the door to find the hotel manager waiting, hat in hand."Miss Kiara. We must fix an electrical fault in your room."
"Then move me to another room," she said.
"I'm sorry, but we have no vacancy tonight. Your payment has been refunded and a small compensation credited to your card."
Kiara froze. Kyrian had warned her to return to the Estate before eight. And now this?
"This is from that wolf, isn't it?" she hissed. "I'm not checking out!"
The manager gave a helpless smile. "Please, Miss. We're only a small business. Don't make this harder."
Small business? The hotel was worth millions of euros. Still, staff hovered with toolboxes, insisting on repairs. They would not let her stay.
Furious, Kiara wheeled her suitcase outside. A black Mercedes waited at the curb. Nathaniel, Kyrian's driver, hurried forward. "Madam, Alpha Kyrian sent me to bring you home."
Kiara stepped back. "Tell Kyrian I'm not coming back," she said, voice icy. She turned toward a nearby hotel on the other side.
Nathaniel didn't try to stop her.
Inside the second hotel, the clerk smiled politely. But when Kiara handed over her card, the smile faded. "I'm sorry, but your card was restricted just now. Could you provide a different one, please?"